Injured woman stretchered to safety

An injured Motueka woman with a broken ankle is recovering in Blenheim's Wairau Hospital after a 10-hour rescue effort.

Dawn Wood, 43, was yesterday stretchered to safety across difficult terrain and in extreme weather conditions after being trapped above the snowline on the Marlborough mountain of Scott's Knob, near Blenheim.

Ms Wood said last night she was relieved to have escaped a second night in the open.

She spent Sunday night in the bush with her partner and fellow climber, Andrew Smith after breaking her ankle on Sunday afternoon descending from the summit of the 2160m Scott's Knob.

"I'm just glad to be out," Ms Wood told The Press newspaper as she was taken to hospital by ambulance last night.

She said she felt sore after the exhausting ordeal.

Sergeant Michael Irving of Blenheim police said yesterday a rescue helicopter could not reach the woman because of poor weather conditions.

Twelve members of Marlborough Search and Rescue (SAR) on Sunday walked into the Branch River catchment area, where Ms Wood had injured herself.

They were joined yesterday by 13 others from RNZAF Woodbourne, Marlborough, Nelson and the police.

"A 10-hour stretcher carry followed over hazardous terrain in wet and cold conditions," Mr Irving said.

"The terrain included bluffs, which required skilled rope belay systems to negotiate safely. Medical assistance was provided to the patient via SAR staff before and during the stretcher carry."

Mr Irving described it as one of the most challenging rescues physically for the rescue team.

"Without their efforts the injured party would have been forced to spend another one or two days awaiting rescue by helicopter."

Mr Irving said the 12-strong group Ms Wood was with had been well prepared and had done everything correctly.

"She wasn't on her own. She was in shelter, she was warm and was made as comfortable as she could -- given the situation."

Mr Irving said Ms Wood also had anti-inflamatories and pain relief.

- NZPA